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Man Knocks Calif. Officer Unconscious, Tries to Grab Gun

April 10, 2014
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A man who knocked a Berkeley, Calif., police officer unconscious after punching and kicking him in the head and then trying to grab his loaded gun was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder Monday, police said.

The incident has also opened up -- again -- a call by the police union for officers to be issued stun guns. Berkeley and San Francisco remain the only city police departments in the Bay Area that don't arm their officers with the devices.

Carlos Alberto Delagarza, 43, was arrested after the short struggle on Bolivar Drive along Aquatic Park, adjacent to Interstate 80. He remains in custody without bail at the Berkeley City Jail after being released from a hospital with minor injuries.

"This was an extremely brutal attack," Berkeley police union President Sgt. Chris Stines told the Oakland Tribune, adding that the officer, on the force for a decade, is now "doing well" despite "fairly severe" injuries. His name was not released. He will be on leave until at least the end of this week, Stines said.

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Comments (6)

Displaying 1 - 6 of 6

Rick @ 4/10/2014 3:36 PM

It should renew calls for CA to become a 'shall issue' CCW state like FL, TX and VA so an armed citizen can assist an officer in a life threatening situation and the citizen can defend themselves before the officers arrive to a situation.

KevCopAz @ 4/10/2014 6:53 PM

Perhaps we should find some way of suing the cities of Berkley and San Francisco for not equipping their officers with a proven life saving(both officer & suspect) device. The only thing these number crunching bean counting politicians understand is heavy $ paid out in lawsuits due to their disregard for common sense. They could care less for the life of the officer. It will take a "citizen" shot instead of shocked to get them to open their minds. But then again you are in the thick of the liberal cop hating portion of a liberal and cop hating state (CA). My heart goes out to all my brother and sister officers out there.

TheRookie @ 4/11/2014 1:42 PM

Top Commanders who don't fight for their officers to have the best equipment and training should quit. Their job is to make sure their officers go home safe at the end of watch, and take the political rounds for them. We had a training Director from England one time request through the City Council at a Council Meeting that we have firearms removed. He believed a truncheon/nightstick was sufficient enough. The Chief & Everybody else ran him out directly on the first rail. LOL, Never saw him again. Same should go with Berkley & San Francisco Chiefs/Superintendents.

Ima Leprechaun @ 4/13/2014 3:06 PM

The Police have always had to make do with less and low public support but we do it pretty well with what we have. The Officer even unconscious kept control of his weapon, a civilian in the same situation would have gladly provided a weapon and ammunition to the suspect without caring about the consequences. Officer get well and take your time we are willing to wait for you.

Greg @ 4/14/2014 6:05 AM

WHAT have you been smoking?! "The Officer even unconscious kept control of his weapon, a civilian in the same situation would have gladly provided a weapon and ammunition to the suspect without caring about the consequences."

Most civilians don't carry a level 2-3 retention holster. A civilian would have gladly provided a gun? Are you nuts?? A civilian would never have tried to deal with a nut on a roof, not their job. I'm sure Berkely does not care about it's officers...seeing them as a barely necessary "occupying force".

Ima Leprechaun @ 4/19/2014 6:34 PM

I am so sorry you are off your medication Greg and I feel so sorry for you. I am sure if you actually read the hyperlink article you may understand my comments, but I know you won't. Where do you find a "roof" anywhere in that story? This happened on the ground next to a busy intersection and the suspect fled into a lagoon. I don't smoke either...never assume... civilian.

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The other bill will require officers to identify themselves with a business card listing...

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